Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For Expats
For those escaping the capital high life, cross the plains to the
Oil Museum
to see what the city's wealth is foun-
ded upon and visit the nearby
Tree of Life
, resting on even sparser foundations. If island fever sets in, dive off
the edge with a nose-peg and sharp knife to collect pearls. Less painfully, take a weekend package to the
Hawar
Islands
and ponder what a tidal rise of two inches might do to the islands' waistlines.
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Essential Food & Drink
»
Makbus
Rice and spices with chicken, lamb or fish in sauce.
»
Rangena
Coconut cake.
»
Khabees
Dates in a variety of sizes, colours and states of ripeness.
»
Tap water
Safe to drink although most people stick to bottled water.
»
Alcohol
Available but discouraged through high tariffs.
»
Coffee
Any place called a 'coffeehouse' is usually a bar and intended for men only.
AT A GLANCE
»
Currency
Bahraini dinar (BD)
»
Mobile phones
SIM cards widely available
»
Money
ATMs widespread; credit cards widely accepted
»
Visas
Available on arrival for many nationalities
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Fast Facts
»
Capital
Manama
»
Country code
973
»
Language
Arabic (English widely spoken)
»
Official name
Kingdom of Bahrain
»
Population
1.3 million
